EssMarksTheSpot

Mick, man, I don't know if you're going to get a chance to read this or if I'm past when you were going to answer questions, but I figure I should put this out there anyway.

I'm 23. There was a time in high school when I was in a pretty dark place. I felt like I didn't have any close friends, I was disconnected from my parents (even though I can look back now and see how loving they were/are), and I had more than a few thoughts about hurting myself (or worse). I know that's probably not anything special or particularly unique to an angst-filled teenager, but suffice to say I was profoundly unhappy with life.

Enter professional wrestling. Maybe it was escapism or just the chance to lose myself in something for a few hours, but Raw and SmackDown were very often the highlights of my week. Maybe it was my love of comic books that drew me in--I always found parallels between the over-the-top adventures of DC and Marvel and the weekly exploits of WWE. My parents and I never missed a chance to gather around the television and watch the shows together (I think they had more than an inkling that it meant a lot to me).

My favorite wrestler? (Besides Test, of course, but that's a given.) You. Maybe it was the fact that there was a superstar that kind of looked like me (that is to say, hairy and slightly--only slightly spherical). Maybe it was all the laugh-out-loud stuff you did on TV, coupled with the dramatic, reflective, sometimes unsettling vignettes.

But when I really think about it, I think it was reading Have a Nice Day! and Foley is Good and finding a pretty damn inspiring story about a guy following his dreams (and a story involving Diamond Dallas Page, saran wrap, and some cookies that still makes me giggle to this day). Suddenly, I didn't feel so alone in the world. (If that's weird or creepy, I apologize wholeheartedly.) I didn't feel bad expressing my thoughts and feelings and opinions that may have been contrary to those of my parents or what friends I did have. I found more things to laugh about in life.

I knew I wanted more out of life. I made changes. I started playing guitar, writing (not songs), started opening up more to the people around me and made some truly amazing friends who have stayed with me to this day. I've graduated from college, work at a law firm, have a beautiful girlfriend, and I'm working on getting my private pilot license in my spare time. I've even found time to help the needy, but I have repeatedly explained to Al Snow that he cannot sleep on my futon anymore.

Looking back on high school, I cannot believe I even contemplated ending it all. I'm so very happy with my life, and when I get right down to it, I feel like you did so much to get me out of that dark place.

So, from the bottom of my heart, Mick, thanks for everything. It's still a goal of mine to meet you someday. Hopefully I can make that a reality eventually!

P.S. My mom recently read my copy of Foley is Good and calls you that "sweet bearded guy." Additionally, I once showed my girlfriend a picture of you and Collette from Have a Nice Day! In an awestruck tone, she whistled and said, "Wow. He did good."

And then I nailed her. Thanks Mick!

Hi Chris! Thanks for taking the time to do this.

This might be a little more mundane, but I'm curious--what games are you playing right now? Is there anything coming out that you're excited to play because it might offer new innovations or just looks awesome to you?

Thanks again!

I thought it was only the U.S. Department of Health that removed flossing from its guidelines due to issues with research on the topic. American Dental Association still recommends it, I think. But that could also be Big Floss flexing its muscles on the industry.